This was different. You did put detail into the descriptions which was really comforting to the mind. I really loved the characterization you have Vader. So cynical, so sinister and so chillingly sensual; that it gave me shivers. I was hoping to see more interaction between Vader and Padmé but I see that there is a sequel of sorts to this one so I will be reading that next. I loved the fight scene it was very raw and strong :) and the way you would change the story into little time capsules was a bit confusing but one would get the hang of it. It was a good tale :)

Tai Skywalker chapter 1 . 12/12/2011

I like the beginning of this tale.

For some reason, as I read on, I felt a humane vibe coming from Young Vader when he gazed upon the holo. It was different. But somehow when you described the fixation he has with the beautiful female, it was eerie. That is just me! But it did intrigue me a lot. And the fact that the Jedi is Obi-Wan; it gave out a nice spice to it. I really like it :)

Tai Skywalker chapter 1 . 12/12/2011

I like the beginning of this tale.

For some reason, as I read on, I felt a humane vibe coming from Young Vader when he gazed upon the holo. It was different. But somehow when you described the fixation he has with the beautiful female, it was eerie. That is just me! But it did intrigue me a lot. And the fact that the Jedi is Obi-Wan; it gave out a nice spice to it. I really like it :)

Tai Skywalker chapter 1 . 12/11/2011

I like the beginning of this tale.

For some reason, as I read on, I felt a humane vibe coming from Young Vader when he gazed upon the holo. It was different. But somehow when you described the fixation he has with the beautiful female, it was eerie. That is just me! But it did intrigue me a lot. And the fact that the Jedi is Obi-Wan; it gave out a nice spice to it. I really like it :)

"Flimsi-plast image. Poor reproduction. Subject appears to be dark-haired young female. Image could not be improved by technical enhancement. Missing."

And we find out where his obsession began :D

"Of course, he understood why he took it - what a Sith wanted, a Sith took. What he didn’t understand was why he stole it, why he wanted it a secret from the officers, the other Hands, his Master."

That's very telling. That there was something shameful to LORD VADER about his actions. That the dark side in him understood the inherent danger and need for secrecy.

"Vapaad"

Hm ... a reference to Mace Windu perhaps?

"Vader strolled up to the other boy, looked him up and down - Darra watching apprehensively all the while - and slapped him with his open palm."

LOL! That's beautiful. Vader bitch slapped him. *dies laughing*

"I take no pleasure in killing your kind: least of all, old women like yourself."

And there it is again, Vader's inherent morality. Regardless of how it's warped and twisted, in how he can revel in the envy and humiliation of his peers, this act is still below him. He still wishes to face a worthy adversary, not torture an old woman. *claps*

“I look like a child. I’m not.”

Oh, indeed. I suspect he hasn't been a child for a very, very long time.

“I failed you,” she said so softly he almost didn’t hear her.

Oh, this should be *good* :)

“I failed you, all of you, but especially you. So I forgive you because I’m responsible for what you are.”

That's beautiful. It seems someone is always taking responsibility for his fall. In canon, we get Obi-Wan's regret, but his is so tinged with his own sense of betrayal, that it's somehow tainted. This is so much more potent. This old woman who truly, deeply regrets that she failed this young man even as she knows he's going to kill her. Heavy stuff.

"I am not. I was born royalty, in the Imperial Palace itself and I was raised a Sith from the moment I took my first breath."

Ah-ha! Lovely. Truly a mirror image. Rather than Anakin the slave saved by the Jedi, we get Anakin the royal heir abandoned by the Jedi and left to the Sith. That's some beautiful irony that it may turn out to be the canon Anakin, the one raised by the Jedi that will eventually prove to be the bigger monster (though maybe not, you do twists and turns very well ;))

Again, thoroughly enjoyable and enchanting story. I love the way you wove all the different pieces together.

ouch. and the puns keep coming ;) Darn though. I was hoping that Padme had some connection to Vader that made her wish to spare him.

"Kenobi recoiled as if slapped. "

That's lovely. Padme always one to turn people's own morality against them, to hold them up to the same standard they presented to others. Beautifully done.

"Kenobi should have been able to draw on the Force more strongly. But for some reason he couldn’t."

... interesting

“Of course, milady,” he said curtly. The red blade in his hand flickered and died.

SIGH! Thank you :D

"But the Force seemed to like this soul - the Force seemed to like flowed through and around him more strongly than anything the Jedi had ever seen and it forced them to meld with him… to heal him. Suddenly it was no longer their choice - but the very will of the Force that demanded the Sith to be saved."

Ooh! even more interesting! I *love* that.

"And as the last sinew of muscle was knitted in the open wound in his stomach, he let in a sharp gasping breath and his eyes opened."

That chapter was masterfully executed! Bravo! I loved the twist on canon. In canon we get Jedi Anakin newly turned to Sith, teetering on the edge and his friend and mentor Obi-Wan cutting him down, inflicting irreparable damage and leaving him for dead, sealing his fall to the dark side. And yet you twist and turn it so that Sith Vader is healed and saved by his sworn enemy Kenobi. Beautiful! And the way Padme plays into all of it ... *sigh* it's just lovely.

I've had a terrible day and this story is absolutely a joy and bright spot.